Matt Pryor has started at right guard in the Chicago Bears' past three games after technically being their third-string option for most of the summer. First, the Bears planned to have Nate Davis at right guard and Ryan Bates at center.
Davis was injured early in training camp, forcing Bates to move over to right guard before suffering a shoulder injury that landed him on IR after the opening week of the season. With the injury to Bates and the ineffectiveness of Davis, the Bears turned to Pryor.
Should the Chicago Bears trust Matt Pryor to start at right guard moving forward?
It feels as though the team is done with Davis. There have been questions about Davis' motivation to play and when he has been on the field, the veteran has looked to be a revolving door at the right guard position.
With Bates eligible to come off IR after the Bears' bye week, the question is whether he will return to being the right guard or whether the team will continue to move forward with Pryor.
Of course, one scenario exists where the Bears have Bates play center once he returns. This move would allow Pryor to remain the team's right guard, with Coleman Shelton and Davis serving as depth. Given how the Bears made acquiring Bates a priority in not one but two offseasons, it seems that the former Buffalo Bills' offensive lineman will be given an opportunity to start once he is healthy.
Though, in Shelton's defense, he has seen some improvement in recent weeks compared to the struggles that were evident at the start of the season. Regardless of what happens between Bates and Shelton, Pryor has made a strong case to remain a member of the starting offensive line.